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ANGIE'S KITCHEN

PRACTICAL COOKING ADVICE I'VE GAINED OVER THE YEARS, FROM MY FAMILY TO YOURS.
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MY “1” BANANA-CRAISINS-GUAVA CUPCAKES FOR WHEN YOU CRAVE THEM!

8/31/2021

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These cupcakes are perfect for a small family. You can serve them at breakfast in the morning with some fresh fruits, or with your afternoon cup of tea, or serve them after dinner as dessert. Furthermore, you can slice them in half, fill them with guava paste and put the top back. Or you can spread the guava on top and garnish with a mint leave. Winners!
 
Category:  DESSERT
Approx. Prep and Cook Time: 35 Minutes
Approximate Cost:    $3.41 or .68 cents per cupcake
Difficulty Level:  Easy
Allergens, Other:  NOT Gluten Free     
Servings: 5 to 6 regular cupcakes size
 
Ingredients
1 very ripe (black) banana (mashed) (.20)
½ c. All-purpose flour (.25)
½ tsp. baking soda (.10)
½ tsp. Cinnamon (.10)
½ tsp. Nutmeg (.10)
½ tsp. ground ginger (.10)
Pinch salt (0)
 
1 egg at room temperature (.16)
½ c. organic sugar (.30)
2 tbsp. brown sugar (.10)
¼ c. unsalted butter .60)
 
1 tbsp. peanut oil (.20)
1 tsp. vanilla extract ($1.00)
½ c. evaporated milk (or buttermilk, or almond milk) (.20)
Directions
  • Preheat oven at 350 degrees, place 5 to 7 wrappers in a cupcake mold, set aside.
  • Measure in a small bowl the flour, baking, soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground ginger and a pinch salt. Wisk to combine and set aside.
  • In a separate bowl, med-size, add the white and brown sugars, butter and cream until soft.
  • Add the egg, vanilla, peanut oil, beat until all ingredients are combined, then add the mashed banana and mix well, the mix will not be smooth.
  • Add half of the flour mixture that you put aside and mix just until combined, then add the milk and whatever is left of your flour. Mix just until all ingredients are combined.
  • Place the batter into the cupcake mold with wrappers and bake at 350 degrees for about 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clear. (Remember, all ovens are not equal and bake differently.
  • When done, remove from oven and allow to cool before serving.
 
HACK: Homemade Buttermilk: There are a couple of ways to make 1 cup of buttermilk if we don’t have it at home when a recipe calls for it.
I mix ½ c. of milk with 1 ½ tsp. of lemon juice (or vinegar).  I wait until the milk start to separate the fat from the water, then add more milk to complete 1 cup. Done.
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MY SALMON POKE BOWL, SO HEALTHY!

8/27/2021

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Poke bowls are here to stay. It is so simple to make them. Choose a protein, chop some colorful veggies and boom, you are done, smile.
 
Category:  Entrée 
Approx. Prep and Cook Time:   35 Minutes
Approximate Cost:    $9.65 or $4.83 per serving
Difficulty Level:  Easy
Allergens, Other:  Gluten Free   
Servings: 2
 
Ingredients
2 salmon steaks ($4.50)
1 tbsp. Cilantro Lime Dry Seasoning (.20)
1 tbsp. Angie’s basting olive oil (.50)
2 c. purple cabbage, shredded (.50)
1 lemon, 2 slices Poblano pepper and 1 carrot ($1.00)
1 tsp. Sesame seeds to-taste to sprinkle over final dish (.20)
1 avocado ($1.25)
 
1 c. Quinoa, 2 c. broth, 1 tsp. Cilantro Lime Dry Seasoning 1 tbsp. basting oil ($1.50)
 
Directions
In a saucepan on med-high bring to a boil the broth, Cilantro Lime,1 tbsp. basting oil. Add the quinoa, stir, reduce the heat to low and cover. Cook for about 25 minutes.
Pat dry and season the salmon with 1 tbsp. Cilantro Lime Seasoning and 1 tbsp. Angie’s basting olive oil. Refrigerate.
Shred the cabbage, slice the lemon, prep and peel the carrot. set aside.
When the quinoa is ready, start searing the salmon until golden brown.
When done, start plating with quinoa and add all the garnishing. Done!
Enjoy!
 
Angie’s Basting Olive Oil:  www.angieslifehacks.com/cuisine/the-flavor-series-recipe-2-angies-basting-olive-oi
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BREAKFAST: MY QUICK BLUEBERRY MUFFINS, YUMMY!

8/26/2021

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​Muffins are no rocket science to make. Sometimes we need something sweet in the morning to go with our coffee. These muffins can be done the night before, store in a sealed container and enjoy the next day. I would warm them up, add some butter and boom, I am set for the day!
 
Category:  BREAKFAST
Approx. Prep and Cook Time:  35 minutes
Approximate Cost:    $3.96 or .40 cents each
Difficulty Level:  Easy
Allergens, Other:  NOT-Gluten Free (unless you use GF Flour, I prefer 1 to 1 GF flour) 
Servings: 10 med-size muffins
 
Ingredients
1 c. all-purpose flour (.90)
½ tsp. baking powder (.10)
Pinch of salt (0)
½ stick of butter, softened at room temperature (.50)
½ c. sugar (.20)
1 egg (.16)
1 tsp. vanilla ($1.00)
¼ c. sour cream or buttermilk (.20)
½ c. of fresh or frozen blueberries (.90)
 
Directions
Start your oven at 350 degrees. Use paper wraps (or a muffin baking mold and oil spray it)
Add the flour, salt and baking powder to a med-size bowl, whisk well to combine.
In another bowl add the soft butter and sugar, with the hand mixer cream well, then add the egg and vanilla slowly and whisk until all is combined.
Add half the flour mixture, mix just until its combined. Then add the other half of flour with the sour cream, mix until all is combined.
Finally, carefully fold in the blueberries.
With a small size ice cream scoop, fill the muffin wraps or the baking mold.
Place in the oven and bake for about 25 minutes or so, depending on your over, since all ovens are calibrated differently. Do not open the oven but check to see if they look done and towards the last minute just test with a tooth pick.
 
Enjoy!
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MY OVEN ROASTED SWEET POTATO CUBES INSTEAD OF FRENCH FRIES. AGAIN!

8/24/2021

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WHY? Because this is some serious healthy veggie that we must eat often. And yeah, I know, French fries are yummy, especially with tons of salt and ketchup. But wait, they are not healthy-good for anyone. Seriously, it is time that we all make changes to live longer and healthier. Therefore, why not switch from deep fried French fried potatoes to oven roasted sweet potatoes? Smart right?
 
Category:  SIDE
Approx. Prep and Cook Time:   35 minutes
Approximate Cost:    $2.75 or .92 cents per serving
Difficulty Level:  Easy
Allergens, Other:  Gluten Free   X   Vegetarian     X           
Servings: 3+
 
Ingredients
2 large sweet potatoes ($1.50)
¼ c. Angie’s basting olive oil ($1.25)
 
Directions
  1. Wash the sweet potatoes thoroughly, pat dry and cut in approx. 1” cubes.
  2. Place the cubes in a baking mold.
  3. Preheat oven at 375 and cook the cubes for approx. 35 minutes until golden brown.
  4. Enjoy!

My Link: 
Angie’s Basting Olive Oil:  www.angieslifehacks.com/cuisine/the-flavor-series-recipe-2-angies-basting-olive-oil
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MY TURKEY MEATBALLS in a THICK CHICKEN STOCK SAUCE over YAUTIA CUBES.

8/20/2021

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Following yesterday’s post, this is just one of many recipes where Yautía can be used instead of potatoes. Root veggies are delicious and creamy. You can also mash the Yautía and drizzle a sauce over it, or olive oil and your favorite seasoning and boom, another option to eat this dish.
 
Category:  Entrée  
Approx. Prep and Cook Time: 35 Minutes
Approximate Cost:    $9.00 or $3.00 per serving
Difficulty Level:  Easy
Allergens, Other:  Gluten Free   
Servings: 3+
 
Ingredients
1 large Yautía, boiled and drained (.95)
3 small red potatoes, peeled, boiled, drained (.40)
1 lb. 99% fat free ground turkey ($5.45)
5 garlic cloves, chopped (.20)
1 tbsp. Angie’s dry seasoning (.30)
1 ½ tbsp. Angie’s basting olive oil (.45)
1 ½ c. chicken stock, (homemade or purchased) ($1.00)
¼ c. chopped herbs such as Greek and Italian oregano, cilantro, thyme, etc. (.25)
 
Directions
In a saucepan with lightly salted water, boil the yautia and potatoes until tender. Drain.
Meantime, season the turkey with the chopped garlic, chopped herbs,1 tbsp. of my dry seasoning, and ½ tbsp. of my basting olive oil.
With an ice cream scoop, make the meatballs and sauté until golden.
Carefully, add 1 ½ c. chicken stock and simmer until the sauce becomes a bit thick.
Plate the yautia and potatoes, then add the golden meatballs and drizzle gravy all over.
 
Angie’s Dry Seasonings: http://www.angieslifehacks.com/family-life/oven-roasted-bacon-chicken-and-angies-seasonings
Angie’s Basting Olive Oil:  www.angieslifehacks.com/cuisine/the-flavor-series-recipe-2-angies-basting-olive-oil
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HACK: TIME TO GET TO KNOW YOUR ROOT VEGGIES. TODAY’S VEGGIE: YAUTIA!

8/19/2021

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If you like potatoes, then meet the veggie that taste way much better than potatoes, the Yautía.
 
Yautía is a starchy tropical root veggie mostly used in Caribbean, African and South American cuisines. It is also called Malanga. It comes in white and in purple colors, (my favorite). To use it, you simply peel it and boil it in a bit of salted water until tender and soft.
 
You can cut Yautía as you would a potato; in slices, in cubes or just cook it whole. The end result is a yummy soft product that you can use as is, or you can mash, add olive oil and spices, or use in stews as you would use a potato.  
 
Tomorrow, my recipe of Turkey Meatballs over Yautía Cubes.
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MY BISTEC ENCEBOLLAO with my YELLOW RICE and AVOCADO. SIMPLE  and DELICIOUS!

8/14/2021

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As I promised day before yesterday, here is the recipe. I have been eating this type of meal my whole life. I remember it growing up. Still to-date, it is a typical comfort food meal in Puerto Rico. I hope that you like it as much as I do. Smile.
 
Category:  Entrée 
Approx. Prep and Cook Time:   35 Minutes
Approximate Cost:    $6.95 or $3.48 per serving
Difficulty Level:  Easy
Allergens, Other:  Gluten Free   
Servings: 2+
 
Ingredients
4 top sirloin steaks ($2.50)
1 tbsp. Roasted garlic and herbs (.20)
1 tsp. Angie’s dry seasoning (.20)
2 tbsp. Angie’s basting olive oil (.40)
1 onion, sliced (.40)
 
1 c. parboiled rice ($1.00)
2 c. water
1 tbsp. Angie’s basting olive oil (.20)
2 tbsp. dry chopped onion flakes (.20)
1 tsp. Sazon Tropical (.20)
1 sofrito frozen disk (.20)
 
1 avocado ($1.25)
1 tbsp. Angie’s basting olive oil (.20)
 
Directions
Season the sirloin bistec steaks with 1 tbsp. Roasted garlic and herbs, 1 tsp. Angie’s dry seasoning and 2 tbsp. Angie’s basting olive oil. Refrigerate.
 
Slice the onion, set aside.
In a saucepan add 2 c. water, 1 tbsp. Angie’s basting olive oil, 2 tbsp. dry chopped onion flakes, 1 tsp. Sazon Tropical and 1 sofrito frozen disk. Bring to a boil.
Add the 1 c. rice, stir, bring to a boil, stir. Reduce heat to low and cook for 20 minutes.
 
Meantime, add 1 tbsp. Angie’s basting olive oil to a skillet and when sizzling, carefully add the sirloin bistec steaks. Cook until done, remove from skillet and add the sliced onion. Cook until golden brown. Slice the avocado and you are ready to plate this meal.
 
Angie’s Dry Seasonings: http://www.angieslifehacks.com/family-life/oven-roasted-bacon-chicken-and-angies-seasonings
Angie’s Basting Olive Oil:  www.angieslifehacks.com/cuisine/the-flavor-series-recipe-2-angies-basting-olive-oil
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HACK: HOW TO PREPARE AN OVER ONE LB. TOP SIRLOIN CUT INTO 2 SEPARATE MEALS!

8/12/2021

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​I do this all the time with different cuts of meats. I recently purchased these top sirloin filets for a meal, however, at the last minute I decided that the portion was large enough to make two plus meals for 2 people, meaning 4 single servings.
 
The first thing I did was to clean the filets from any visible fat. Then I took the larger portion and cut it into 4 steaks. I decided to make Bistec Encebollao (Onion smothered steaks) with half of the beef. So I smacked 4 filets to make them even more tender. (The Recipe and final dish coming up TOMORROW.)
 
Secondly, I took the smaller filet, cut it in thin strips, put them in a plastic bag and froze to make Sirloin Tips Stir Fry with red peppers, onion, garlic and broccoli over white rice later during the week. It all worked perfectly. It was so ridiculous to prep the beef for all these meals (total 4 meals) for a mere $10.11 so each meal cost was about $2.50 each. 
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MY DELICIOUS COD AND SHRIMP CHARRAS TOSTADAS

8/7/2021

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These Tostadas are not difficult to make at all. It is just that the cooking and assembly of the ingredients takes a bit of time. However, is the work involved worth it? Of course it is. They are super delicious and a show stopper on your table, smile.
 
Category:  Entrée  
Approx. Prep and Cook Time:  under 30 Minutes
Approximate Cost: $15.28 or $7.64 per serving
Difficulty Level:  Easy
Allergens, Other:  Gluten Free    
Servings: 4 Charras (2 per serving)
 
Ingredients
2 cod filets (cut in bite sizes) ($4.50)
½ lb. large shrimp ($3.50)
1 tbsp. roasted garlic and herbs (.20)
1 tbsp. Angie’s basting olive oil (.40)
 
1 15 oz. can Pinto beans, rinsed, drained and mashed (.99)
1 tbsp. Angie’s dry seasoning (.30)
1 tbsp. Angie’s basting olive oil (.40)
1 tsp. roasted garlic and herbs (.20)
 
1 med. size onion, chopped (.30)
4 large cloves of garlic, chopped (.10)
1 avocado, cubed ($1.25)
½ c. chopped Cilantro (.20)
1 large vine tomato, cubed (.30)
½ c. red cabbage, chopped (.20)
1 tbsp. Angie’s dry seasoning (.30)
1 tbsp. Angie’s basting olive oil (.40)
 
4 Charras Tostadas (.75)
2 lemons (.99)

Directions

  • Clean and season the shrimp and the cod filet. Cut the filet in bite size.
  • Add 1 tbsp. roasted garlic and herbs and 1 tbsp. Angie’s basting olive oil. Refrigerate.
  • Prepare all the other ingredients, drain, rinse, etc.…
  • Prepare the mashed beans in a skillet. Add 1 tbsp. Angie’s dry seasoning, 1 tbsp. Angie’s basting olive oil and 1 tsp. roasted garlic and herbs. Cook just until all the ingredients are warm and blended. (If needed, add a tad of water to make the mashed beans softer before assembling the tostadas.
  • Next, prepare the chopped salsa ingredients, add the juice of I lemon, 1 tbsp. Angie’s dry seasoning and 1 tbsp. Angie’s basting olive oil. Refrigerate.
  • Now, in a skillet at med-high heat, sauté the cod filet and shrimp until lightly cooked, do not overcook the seafood. Remove set aside.
  • To plate the Charras, first peel and cube the avocado. Then assemble the tostadas as I did in my slide presentation and sprinkle with chopped cilantro or Italian parsley.
  • If you want, you could accompany this meal with a scoop of yellow rice, although I don’t think it is necessary, smile.
 
Enjoy!
 
Angie’s Dry Seasonings: http://www.angieslifehacks.com/family-life/oven-roasted-bacon-chicken-and-angies-seasonings
Angie’s Basting Olive Oil:  www.angieslifehacks.com/cuisine/the-flavor-series-recipe-2-angies-basting-olive-oil
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MY YUMMY AND MOIST “ONE BANANA” BANANA BREAD

8/6/2021

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Hey, I think that this happens to most of us. We buy the bananas, eat most of them and suddenly, some begin to turn dark on you. Well, I had one banana left and it was totally black, meaning, perfect for my banana bread that I haven’t make in a long time. Therefore, knowing that we have two wonderful friends. Ron and Linda, I decided to make a special small banana bread for 4 people, them and us. (Oh and don’t be nervous about the ingredients list, smile, you have most of the ingredients in your pantry.)
 
Category:  Dessert
Approx. Prep and Cook Time:   Under 40 Minutes
Approximate Cost:    $3.41 or .85 cents per serving
Difficulty Level:  Easy
Allergens, Other:  Contains Gluten, Eggs, Milk and peanut oil. 
Servings: 4
 
Ingredients
1 very ripe (black) banana (mashed) (.20)
½ c. All-purpose flour (.25)
½ c. organic sugar (.30)
2 tbsp. brown sugar (.10)
½ tsp. baking soda (.10)
½ tsp. Cinnamon (.10)
½ tsp. Nutmeg (.10)
½ tsp. ground ginger (.10)
Pinch salt (0)
1 egg at room temperature (.16)
 1 tbsp. peanut oil (.20)
1 tsp. vanilla extract ($1.00)
¼ c. unsalted butter .60)
½ c. evaporated milk (or buttermilk, or almond milk) (.20)
 
 Directions
  • Preheat oven at 350 degrees, olive oil sprays a 5 x 8 baking mold (meatloaf mold).
  • Measure the flour, baking, soda, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground ginger and a pinch salt. Wisk to combine and set aside.
  • In a separate bowl, med-size, add the sugars and butter and cream until soft.
  • Add the egg, vanilla, peanut oil, beat until all ingredients are combined, then add the mashed banana and mix well.
  • Add half of the flour mixture that you put aside and mix just until combined, then add the milk and whatever is left of your flour. Mix just until all ingredients are combined.
  • Place the batter into the 5 x 8 baking pan and bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clear. (Remember, all ovens are not equal and bake differently.
  • When it is done, remove from oven and allow to cool before slicing it.)
 
HACK: Homemade Buttermilk: There are a couple of ways to make 1 cup of buttermilk if we don’t have it at home when a recipe calls for it.

I usually mix ½ c. of milk with 1 ½ tsp. of lemon juice (or vinegar).  I wait until the milk start to separate from the water, then whisk and add more milk to complete 1 cup. Done.
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    ABOUT THE Author

    I am a blogger, a photographer, a jewelry designer, a gourmet cook, and a recipe book writer. I am also a flea market flipper, an avid gardener, an interior/ outdoors designer, an avid golfer and traveler.

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